As your furnace switches on and prepares to heat your home, it’s normal for it to produce some noise. These sounds, including the burners igniting and the blower running, are all part of the normal start-up steps.
But there are a few approaches you can do to make your furnace run more quietly this winter.
1. Book Yearly Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is extremely important, as it keeps your manufacturer warranty in place. This helps protect you if something big malfunctions in your furnace during your warranty range.
It can also help our pros spot small problems that might make your furnace noisy. And possibly help you sidestep a meltdown on the chilliest day of the year. The Indoor Air Quality Association reports that routine maintenance can reduce your likelihood of furnace repairs by up to 95%.
If small furnace troubles are left unnoticed, they may result in an issue in the future. By unearthing these problems sooner, our techs can get your furnace repaired before heating season is underway.
And, most essential, specialized cleaning and lubrication of your furnace’s moving parts can help make it more efficient. A properly maintained furnace could save up to 30% on your gas expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Frequently Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Your air filter helps keep your house’s air fresh and clean. When it gets too dirty, it can make your furnace turn on and off too frequently. Known as short cycling, this can cause your furnace to consume more energy and make it stop working more quickly.
Our recommendations for replacing your furnace filter:
- Flat filter: Every month
- Pleated filter: Every three months
You might have to change your filter more regularly if you have allergies or pets.
3. Contact MPC Heating & Cooling When Your Furnace is Creating Strange Noises
Some furnaces, especially older ones, can be louder than others. But if you’re detecting very loud or weird noises, you might need to contact a heating and cooling company like MPC Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Chadron.
Here are a couple of noises to keep an eye out for, how to take care of them and when to call a pro.
Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise
This noise happens more frequently with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s since they emit fumes differently than older furnaces, and the process can create some moisture. If your furnace is running into difficulties discharging this water, it could make gurgling or bubbling sounds. You’ll need experienced assistance for this trouble, since it may be the result of by a blocked drain pipe or clogged drain pan.
Furnace Making Banging Noise
It’s not a positive sign when your furnace is making a banging sound. It may mean a couple of things.
Haven’t scheduled maintenance recently and your furnace is producing a banging sound when beginning? Its burners can be dirty. Dirty burners can stall ignition, which leads gas to accumulate in your furnace.
All that accumulated gas can cause a banging or booming noise when your furnace eventually does ignite. But this is more than only an irritating noise, since the built-up gas is igniting within your furnace. This can break your furnace’s heat exchanger and cause a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak.
If you’ve ignored annual service for your furnace and you’re detecting this noise, give MPC Heating & Cooling a call at 308-832-4321. Our heating professionals will get your furnace tuned up and double-check it’s running correctly.
Your ductwork can also make banging sounds when your furnace starts, because the metal is expanding and contracting.
We suggest first checking your furnace’s air filter and replacing it if it’s dirty. Next, ensure you don’t have too many vents closed in your residence, as it can throw off air pressure.
If neither of these things take care of the problem, your ductwork might be dirty or undersized, which will require assistance from a pro HVAC tech.
Furnace Making Humming or Buzzing Noise
If your furnace is buzzing or humming, it’s a sign there’s electrical troubles. This is most usually seen with a faltering blower fan motor, which will make an irritating buzzing noise when your furnace turns on. It can also mean there’s an issue with the capacitor or transformer. All three of these issues need help from an experienced heating and cooling company like MPC Heating & Cooling.
Furnace Making Knocking Noise
If your furnace is making knocking sounds, it’s often an indication that an internal piece is going out. This might be anything from a bearing to a belt or the gas valve. It might also be a symptom that your burners need to be cleaned.
These troubles are often uncovered during annual maintenance provided by a certified HVAC pro. So, while we’re at your house working on repairs, don’t forget to inquire about scheduling your maintenance appointment for the future.
Furnace Making Clicking Noise
A clicking sound may be the result of troubles: worn bearings, gas valve issues or ignition troubles. All these problems call for specialized help.
At MPC Heating & Cooling, our pros are here to help you relax in tranquil, energy-efficient comfort. If your furnace is louder than normal or producing strange sounds, contact us at 308-832-4321 to schedule an appointment today.